Smoking ban helps to stifle recovery

Just saw the news that said a statewide smoking ban could go through with only casinos exempt. This just shows what a phony load of crap the whole ban is.

So it’s unhealthy and dangerous for employees to have to work in secondhand smoke in bars and clubs, but in casinos, that secondhand smoke is OK.

Come on, people, get it right or forget about it. Just make the establishments post on the door “smoking” or “non-smoking,” then the patrons can pick. We can allow American citizens to do what they want to do and still protect non-smokers from the perils of secondhand smoke.

And while we’re at it, let’s get rid of that Fort Wayne ban and start helping the economy, instead of beating more businesses down. A whole bunch of closed or failing bars and restaurants and their suppliers would sure appreciate that shot in the arm.

JILL ADAMS New Haven

Daniels’ actions don’t jibe with his words

Gov. Mitch Daniels doesn’t believe in giving regular Hoosiers a voice. He silenced 30,000 state employees by stripping them of collective bargaining rights. And he tried to silence working-class Hoosiers by denying them access to the Statehouse by implementing arbitrary rules.

Now he and the General Assembly are trying to push through a right-to-work bill using unfounded and biased claims that it will create jobs. But credible independent studies from the Economic Policy Institute and the University of Notre Dame, to name two, show that the opposite is true.

Daniels says he believes in the right to unionize, but pushes for a right-to-work law that allows a free ride for a non-dues-paying employee to be represented by a union.

He knows full well that such a law undermines any sustainable model of unionism and only seeks to bleed a union’s resources.

Daniels’ actions dispute his words. He should tell us simply and fairly that he supports policies that discourage unionism. It’s only fair that Hoosiers know where he and the Republican leadership stand on this issue.

DAVID WARRICK Executive director AFSCME Indiana/Kentucky Council 62

Long’s column only good as fertilizer

After reading Sen. David Long’s Dec. 18 right-to-work article, I am in total disagreement with what he said.

I’ve decided instead of buying fertilizer for my garden next year, I will shred this article and use it.

WARREN WIEDENHOEFT Auburn

FWCS, Parkview projects aren’t comparable

In a recent letter a writer performed a construction cost comparison. This comparison was in regard to the proposed $119 million for HVAC upgrades to the Fort Wayne Community Schools system.

It was stated that $119 million for 31 buildings equates to $3.8 million dollars per building. Also stated was that Parkview Health acquired approval for construction of a 14,000-square-foot facility at a proposed cost of $2.4 million dollars. It was questioned how an entire facility could be constructed for $2.4 million and it would cost $3.8 million to upgrade an HVAC system in a school.

There are two very clear issues with this comparison. First, comparing a 14,000-square-foot facility to the much larger square footage of the average educational facility, and second, comparing new construction cost to renovation cost, are widely different. Renovation cost could potentially include demolition of ceilings and re-installation etc.

In addition, depending on the age of the structure, asbestos abatement may be required.

Imagine how many skilled tradesman would be put to work if these necessary upgrades were approved.

MICHAEL ALLEN Hudson